San Francisco officials, LGBT advocates, and attorneys involved in the fight for marriage equality hailed today (Thursday, May 15) as a "wonderful day" for all Californians in light of the state Supreme Court's ruling that same-sex couples cannot be denied the right to marry.

At a noon event under the Rotunda of City Hall where LGBT leaders, couples and allies had gathered on the grand staircase, Mayor Gavin Newsom raised his right fist in victory as he walked to a podium set up at the bottom of the stairs where more than 4,000 couples were married during February and March of 2004.

"What a day in San Francisco! What a day for equality! Who among us was prepared for this extraordinary moment and extraordinary time," said Newsom, who cut short a trip to Washington, D.C. to return home Wednesday night to await the court's ruling. "I can't tell you how proud I am to be a San Franciscan."

"It's an affirmation of the gay and lesbian community and an extraordinary day for all of us as Americans," Newsom told the Bay Area Reporter in a Thursday phone call.

Fighting back tears Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, simply said, "We won!"

As she choked up, Kendell added, "There is not a LGBT person in this country who is not better off because we won. The human family is better off because we won."

Standing among the crowd was Mabel Teng, the former city assessor-recorder who helped preside over the marriage ceremonies four years ago and became a vocal supporter of marriage equality in the Chinese and Asian American communities. It was Teng's first time back in City Hall since she resigned from office in 2005 amid accusations of cronyism in her hiring practices.

In an interview with the B.A.R. Teng said she had been living in Hong Kong since then but returned to San Francisco in March due to the court's taking up the marriage case.

"This is a proud and happy moment to be back in City Hall," said Teng as she joined in the victory celebration. "It's a good battle to fight and a good battle to win."

Asked about the constitutional amendment banning gay marriage expected to be on the November ballot, Teng predicted that "there will be challenges, there will be legal battles" but that in the end "there will be more victories."

Newsom said the Supreme Court's ruling is a win not just for LGBT people but also for all citizens of the Golden State and that the court's decision was long overdue. It was four years ago that Newsom ordered city officials to marry same-sex couples, ushering in a legal struggle to see that the state's antigay marriage laws be overturned.

"At the end of the day make no mistake, this day is about real people and real lives. It is about people coming together as families all across the state of California and allowing themselves to be fully expressive," said Newsom, who dedicated the day to Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin, the first couple to be married on the morning of February 12, 2004. "Because that is where this started."

Newsom also said the decision is a victory for the parents, grandparents, friends and families of LGBT people everywhere.

"It's about love, dignity, and civil rights. It's about time," said a beaming Newsom, who has faced repeated criticism from both anti-gay activists and some Democratic leaders for his pro-gay marriage stance. "By the way, as California goes, so goes the rest of the nation."

Amid thunderous applause Newsom added, "This is the future and it is now."

City Attorney Dennis Herrera, who oversaw the city's legal strategy in the two cases that stemmed out of Newsom's historic decision, said his office knew the city had won because even in City Hall they could hear the cheers of the crowd gathered outside the Supreme Court building across the street.

"Geez, it's a warm day," joked Herrera. "What a wonderful day."

Due to the court's "courageousness," Herrera said, "We have taken a wonderful step forward."

He echoed a quote from slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., who said, "The arc of history is long but it bends toward justice."

"Let us cherish what is an incredibly historic day for all Californians and people throughout this country," added Herrera.

During a conference call with reporters Thursday, Shannon Minter, the legal director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights who argued the case before the Supreme Court on behalf of 14 same-sex couples and Equality California, the statewide LGBT advocacy group, commended the court for its decision.

"As you can imagine this is a moment of pure happiness and joy for so many families here in California today. We are so grateful to the court," said Minter. "This is a powerful affirmation of love and commitment. We are so proud of our court for standing up for fairness and equality."

Therese Stewart, the chief deputy city attorney of San Francisco who argued on behalf of the city, urged the community to defend the court's stance, as it will be attacked by the right wing for siding with the LGBT community.

"It is an era where courts around the country have been under constant attack and many in other states have shrunk from their duty. Our court remained true to its history. It applied the constitution today without regard to politics or controversy," said Stewart. "It took a lot of courage. The court will be criticized today by some people. We need to step up and get involved in defending the independence of the judiciary.

"Today is a day to celebrate justice in the broadest sense of the word and make sure we have a court where justice is served," added Stewart.

Supervisor Bevan Dufty, who took part in the City Hall gathering, stood at the bottom of the staircase and in between smiles could be seen frowning at times. He said while he was overjoyed by the court ruling he was also saddened thinking about the recent death of Lawrence King, the Oxnard teenager killed by a classmate because he was gay.

"I think it is a win for justice and a win for California and a win for the future. I thought about the future generations of young people who will be unfettered by knowing they can attain love and marriage in their lives," said Dufty. "I also thought about Lawrence King today, that was on my mind. I thought how tragic it is that in a time where we have this watershed civil rights moment for the LGBT community at the same time this 15-year-old boy can still be gunned down in his classroom for being gay."